City blow out the cobwebs

Melbourne City has historically had a shocking record against Perth at nib Stadium, winning just two of 13 games there.

But one of those wins came in January and was off the back of a three-day break.

So City - superstitiously or not - played a full-blown intraclub match at its Bundoora training base on Wednesday night before travelling west on Thursday.

Having had last week off due to the A-League's split round, the blow-out also negates against any problems with rust on Saturday night.

Fullback Scott Jamieson said it was a worthwhile excerise.

Daniel Arzani starred for City in its win against Perth at nib Stadium on January 9. Picture: AAP

"With us travelling away and having had the break, putting us through that will hopefully blow those cobwebs out," Jamieson said.

"The advanced clubs, the ones who are always trying to improve, are always trying to think outside the box.

"And, for me, it's always good to mix things up. It might be a small thing like training at night, but it can get you out of the daily grind."

Jamieson said City would be on "red alert" for a reaction from Perth, stung by its late loss to Wellington last week.

The eighth-placed Glory, seven points out of the top six, also needs wins to keep its finals hopes alive.

But Jamieson said the fact that City won in Perth recently would do wonders for the team's confidence heading into the weekend.

"You always lean on past experiences and the previous one we had there was a good one," he said.

Bruno Fornaroli made his long-awaited return from injury on February 10. Picture: AAP

Star striker Bruno Fornaroli made a second-half comeback in his side's last outing, the loss to Sydney FC at AAMI Park.

Jamieson said it can't be understated how important the Uruguayan's return is both literally to the team.

"It's fantastic," he said.

"Looking outside, as I was, you can see how important Bruno is to the club. But having now got to know him on a personal level, he's a real good guy.

"Having him day in day out now training with us, it gives a positive feeling around the place.

"But I also think the thing with Bruno is, considering how long he's been out for, I don't think there should be any expectations for him to produce what he has in the past straight away. There's definitely not in the playing group, anyway.